Florida State Picks Up Major Commitment From Matthew Thomas

Matthew Thomas, the talented five-star linebacker from Booker T. Washington HS in Miami has decided to sign his letter of intent with the Florida State Seminoles.

This is a major pull for Florida State on a number of levels. For starters, it's a coup in the recruiting battle with the University of Miami. The Hurricanes went hard after Thomas, a South Florida kid, and in the days following James Coley's departure from FSU and arrival at UM, looked as if they might be inching ahead as the favorite.

Thomas opted to stay in-state but head to the panhandle, spurning his hometown team and giving Jimbo Fisher and his staff another five-star recruit (two in two days counting Jalen Ramsey).

The 6-3 205-pound linebacker should also challenge for playing time immediately. Florida State's linebacking corps was already thin thanks to graduation and the departure of starters Vince Williams and Nick Moody. Outside of Christian Jones and Telvin Smith, there's not much experience on the Florida State roster. There are a trio of second year players who should challenge for playing time in Spring, and Karlos Williams could always move to linebacker after he showed his ability at the position in last year's ACC Championship game. But this addition should also be a huge boost to the Seminoles' depth.

Yesterday night LB EJ Levenberry confirmed his commitment and LB Freddie Stevenson is already enrolled at FSU, but Thomas is the gem of the class and could really turn into a special player at FSU.

Thomas runs in the 4.5-40 range, he is powerful and explosive and should fit extremely well into Jeremy Pruitt's defense.

Florida State did miss later on Thomas' high school teammate Denver Kirkland who opted to sign with Arkansas over FSU and Miami.

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